THE makers of Carling lager were criticised by the advertising watchdog today for blaming "late-night kebabs and curries" for beer bellies.

Drinks giant Coors made numerous claims about the health benefits of beer in a leaflet.

It said beer in moderation protected against heart disease, reduced blood pressure and was a good source of vitamins.

Under a heading marked "the myth about the beer belly", the leaflet claimed: "Many scientists now believe that it's the late-night kebabs and curries which are really to blame for the modern day 'beer belly'."

A table at the bottom compared the calorie content of 100ml of beer with the same amount of gin, rum, whisky, cognac and wine. The results apparently showed beer had fewer calories.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), which investigated a complaint about the leaflet, criticised the content and ordered Coors not to repeat the same claims.

It claimed research had shown moderate levels of alcohol in the blood increased the amount of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol which was associated with lower rates of coronary heart disease.

The company also argued moderate consumption of beer could reduce blood pressure due to its low ratio of salt to potassium, and that one litre of beer provided 10% to 20% of the recommended daily allowance of various vitamins.

The ASA said it noted evidence provided but decided the claims were medicinal, which were not allowed by law.

The watchdog expressed concern that the leaflet had compared the energy content in 100ml of spirits, wine and beer.

It said, "Quoting the energy content in 100ml was misleading because beer is usually drunk in larger quantities than spirits or wine."